It's the American freedom, the American way, the American responsibility — THE VOTE. Many UVTO residents have already re-registered to cast ballots in this precinct, but others have changed residences since the last election. Voter Registration will be offered on campus — April 3, 7 to 9am in the Mt. Clef Terrace, and April 5, 4 to 7pm outside the Montecito Dining Room.
...and AN IDEA AHEAD OF ITS TIME Not long after the 2008 elections, a member of our community sent Village View a non-partisan, political idea, his earlier musings on a civilized national election process. It was filed and recently reviewed for publication. How prophetic! As you read it, your smile may be a bit wistful.
"Keeping Presidential Elections on a Fair and Inexpensive Basis"
By Lee Shapiro, Former Villa Resident now at OakView
Approximately $30 million would buy fifteen hours of prime time on major networks. Each party would contribute equally, neither spending in excess of an agreed amount. Ten 1½ hour, face to face debates would be held 30 to 60 days prior to the November election.
Each party could debate an equal number of topics or questions. As each candidate faces his opponent and the viewers, he would be under fire, and the voter could judge, not only by answers but by facial expressions and body language. I'm sure that newspapers would print each debate. Cable, network radio and TV stations would follow up, giving everyone opportunity to view what they have missed.
There would be NO name calling, slander or innuendos unless said face to face, so that the other candidate could reply. This would include mailers or any form of advertising where immediate rebuttal is impossible. This would be of greater value to the voter than other slanderous ads designed to only aid the advertising candidate.
We can expect lobbyists and influential, wealthy companies to reject this, but the public would get an honest and exciting series of meetings where the voter could make an intelligent decision. Normally, each of the two major parties would spend in excess of $400 million, financed by those who seek influence. This method would require an amount so low that, if the voters elected to pay for it, it would cost less than one dollar per person.